Simone Lawson
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The monarch may be the de facto head of state or a ceremonial leader. The constitution allocates the rest of the government's power to the legislature and judiciary. Examples of constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Thailand, Japan, and Malaysia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of constitutional monarchies in the world | 26 |
| Constitutional monarchies in Western Europe | United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Luxembourg, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Sweden, Andorra |
| Constitutional monarchies in Asia | Japan, Thailand, Cambodia |
| Constitutional monarchies in North America | Canada |
| Constitutional monarchies in Oceania | Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, The Bahamas, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Jamaica |
| Constitutional monarchies in Africa | Lesotho, Morocco, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Bhutan |
| Constitutional monarchies in other regions | Malaysia |
| Constitutional monarchies with reigning princes | Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein |
| Constitutional monarchies with explicit popular monarchy | Belgium |
| Constitutional monarchies with substantial discretionary powers granted to the sovereign | Liechtenstein, Monaco, Morocco, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Bhutan |
| Constitutional monarchies with less discretionary power for the sovereign | United Kingdom, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Lesotho, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan |
| Constitutional monarchies with a semi-constitutional monarchy | Vietnam (formerly, from 1949 to 1955) |
| Constitutional monarchies with a diarchy | Andorra, Lesotho, Tonga, Eswatini |
| Constitutional monarchies with a unique feature where the new monarch takes a constitutional oath | Belgium |
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What You'll Learn
- Japan, Thailand, and Bhutan are constitutional monarchies where the monarch has a ceremonial role
- In some countries, like Belgium, the monarch appoints a representative to preside over the creation of a coalition government
- In executive monarchies, the monarch wields significant power, but it is not absolute
- Constitutional monarchies can also be called limited, parliamentary, or democratic monarchies
- Examples of European constitutional monarchies are Liechtenstein and Monaco, where the Prince retains many powers of an absolute monarch
Japan, Thailand, and Bhutan are constitutional monarchies where the monarch has a ceremonial role
Japan's modern constitutional monarchy was established in 1946, with Emperor Akihito serving as a constitutional monarch from 1989 until his abdication in 2019, when his son Naruhito ascended the throne. The Japanese emperor is the principal symbol of the state, and while the country's institutions, such as the constitution and parliament, were built around the emperor, amendments have been made to reduce their powers.
Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy since 1932, when the people were granted a constitution, ending 150 years of absolute Chakri rule. The current ruling dynasty is the House of Chakri. While the king is still the nominal chief executive, he is bound to act on the advice of the Prime Minister and the national assembly, who exercise his powers.
Bhutan is a democratic constitutional monarchy, with the reigning monarch actively encouraging and participating in democratic reforms since the 1950s. The first democratic elections were held in 2007, and by 2011, all levels of government had been democratically elected. The Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, oversaw many political and legal reforms that shaped the constitutional monarchy, including procedures for royal abdication and a draft democratic constitution. The current king, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, retains the regal title but no longer reigns with absolute power.
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In some countries, like Belgium, the monarch appoints a representative to preside over the creation of a coalition government
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The monarch may be the de facto head of state or a ceremonial leader. The constitution allocates the rest of the government's power to the legislature and judiciary.
Belgium is a "hereditary parliamentary constitutional monarchy". The Belgian monarchy is unique in several ways. Firstly, the new monarch does not automatically assume the throne at the death or abdication of their predecessor; they only become the monarch upon taking a constitutional oath. Secondly, the formal title of the Belgian monarch is "King of the Belgians" rather than "King of Belgium". This is because Belgium is a popular monarchy, where the monarch is chosen directly by the elected representatives of the nation.
In Belgium, the King is the symbol of the country and its institutions, but it is the Belgian Parliament that passes laws. The King signs the laws but always needs the approval of a Minister. The King is also the Commander in Chief of the Belgian army. The role of the King is defined in the Constitution, which is the fundamental law of the Belgians.
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In executive monarchies, the monarch wields significant power, but it is not absolute
There are two main types of constitutional monarchy: executive and ceremonial. In executive monarchies, the monarch wields significant power, but it is not absolute. This means that while the monarch has considerable influence, they are still bound by certain restrictions and are not the sole decision-maker.
Executive monarchies, also known as semi-constitutional monarchies, are characterised by a powerful monarchy that holds significant political and social influence. While the monarch's power is not absolute, it is nonetheless substantial and can include legislative and executive functions. The monarch in an executive monarchy may have the authority to appoint representatives, preside over the creation of a government, or even dissolve parliament. However, they are typically bound by conventions and the advice of a cabinet or council.
A key example of an executive monarchy is Liechtenstein. The Prince of Liechtenstein has been granted extensive powers by the 2003 Constitution referendum, including the ability to veto any law proposed by the Landtag (parliament) and vice versa. Additionally, the Prince can hire or dismiss any elective member or government employee. However, it is important to note that the people of Liechtenstein can call for a referendum to end the Prince's reign, demonstrating that their power is not absolute.
Monaco is another example of an executive monarchy. While the Prince of Monaco does not have the same power as the Prince of Liechtenstein to hire or dismiss elective members, he wields significant authority in appointing the minister of state, government council, and judges. These powers provide the Prince of Monaco with considerable influence over the country's governance.
It is worth noting that the power of monarchs can vary even within the category of executive monarchies. For instance, while the monarch in Japan has a ceremonial role, the monarch in Thailand wields more substantial power, as they transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy in 1932. Similarly, the monarch in Norway chairs special cabinet meetings, granting them greater involvement in governance than their counterparts in other constitutional monarchies.
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Constitutional monarchies can also be called limited, parliamentary, or democratic monarchies
A constitutional monarchy is a form of government where the monarch's authority is restricted by a constitution and laws and they are not the sole decision-maker. It is a democratic form of monarchy, where the monarch's powers are limited and they rule alongside an elected body, such as a parliament.
Parliamentary monarchy refers to the combination of a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. In this form, the monarch acts as the head of state, while the government is formed by a cabinet of elected members of parliament. The monarch's role is largely ceremonial and representative, and they do not hold executive power. The United Kingdom, for example, is a parliamentary monarchy, with a democratically elected parliament and a prime minister who exercises power, while the monarch has a titular position.
Democratic monarchy emphasizes the democratic nature of the system, where the monarch's power is derived from and limited by the will of the people. The people are typically involved in the decision-making process through elected representatives, and the monarch's role is to embody and represent the nation. This term highlights the compatibility of monarchy with democratic principles, where power is vested in the people.
Constitutional monarchies can be found across the world, including in Asia, Europe, and the Commonwealth realms. Examples of countries with constitutional monarchies include Japan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Belgium. The powers of the monarch vary between countries, with some holding more discretionary powers than others.
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Examples of European constitutional monarchies are Liechtenstein and Monaco, where the Prince retains many powers of an absolute monarch
Liechtenstein and Monaco are two of the only three countries in the world with reigning princes. Both are constitutional monarchies, where the Prince retains many powers of an absolute monarch. However, while the ruling monarchs in these countries wield significant executive power, they are not absolute monarchs and have very limited de facto power compared to Islamic monarchs. Thus, their countries are generally considered to be liberal democracies and not undemocratic.
In Liechtenstein, the Prince is the head of state and exercises considerable political powers. The country has a mixed constitution in which political power is shared by the monarch and a democratically elected parliament. The executive power is exercised by the Cabinet of Liechtenstein (government), while legislative power is vested in both the government and the Landtag (Parliament). The Prince of Liechtenstein has broad powers, including the appointment of judges, the dismissal of ministers or government, and the calling of referendums. For example, the 2003 Constitution referendum gave the Prince the power to veto any law that the Landtag (parliament) proposes and vice versa. The Prince can also hire or dismiss any elective member or government employee from their post.
Monaco also has a hereditary and constitutional monarchy, where the Prince has similar powers to the Prince of Liechtenstein. The Prince of Monaco can select the minister of state, government council, and judges, but he cannot hire or dismiss any elective member or government employee from their post. While the Prince of Monaco has less power than the Prince of Liechtenstein in some respects, he wields significant executive power and is the ruling leader of the country.
In summary, Liechtenstein and Monaco are examples of European constitutional monarchies where the Prince retains many powers of an absolute monarch. However, it is important to note that their powers are still limited by the constitution and the democratic process, ensuring that their countries remain liberal democracies.
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Frequently asked questions
Some constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Luxembourg, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Sweden, Japan, Thailand, Jordan, and Malaysia.
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The monarch may be the de facto head of state or a ceremonial leader.
In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's power is limited by laws, a constitution, and a more democratic governmental body such as a parliament. In an absolute monarchy, the monarch has complete power and is the only decision-maker.
The role of the monarch varies between countries. In some constitutional monarchies, the monarch has significant power, while in others, they have little to no power and are primarily a ceremonial figurehead. The monarch may appoint representatives, preside over the creation of a coalition government, or serve as the nominal chief executive.
